I had noted that at the start of the season, when Joel and Bethany left the Gophers for St. Thomas. One of the things I had always noticed during the Gopher heyday was that at critical times of a game, it was Nadine, not Brad, who was giving the team the briefing on what needed to get accomplished on the ice. It does speak highly of Brad Frost that his assistants are now leading other teams.
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Ohio State Buckeyes 2021-2022 ... Destination: Happy Valley
- Thread starter osualum86
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I had noted that at the start of the season, when Joel and Bethany left the Gophers for St. Thomas. One of the things I had always noticed during the Gopher heyday was that at critical times of a game, it was Nadine, not Brad, who was giving the team the briefing on what needed to get accomplished on the ice. It does speak highly of Brad Frost that his assistants are now leading other teams.
Final Score From Friday, January 7th
Ohio State 8
Lindenwood 2
The weather turned a little colder in Central Ohio this week, with air temperatures touching the single digits. A bit chilly. But nothing out of the ordinary for January. Good Hockey weather. Or, as a key OSU staff member put it, "the way things should be."
The Buckeye players apparently agreed, scoring early & often. Once again, the scoring was very balanced; 7 different Buckeyes scored the 8 Buckeye goals. As noted last Fall, Buckeye Depth will be an underlying theme all season long. It can make star gazing challenging. Still, on this night, I realized that the team is Tough Up The Middle. Don't worry, I won't be forgetting the underlying depth. But this is an occasion to honor the Buckeye Centers.
Lindenwood Honorable Mention: (tie) Morgan Neitzke and Casey Adimey
There were a couple of "breakthrough infections." Too soon? If so, sorry. But the Lions never lost their determination, and did indeed breakthrough for 2 goals, scored by Morgan & Casey. We also need to mention that Sierra Burt had the primary assist on both tallies.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie) Sophie Jaques and Madison Bizal
We can't ignore the offensive contributions of the Ohio State 'D' Corps. Madison opened the scoring with a shot from up high just 2:05 into the game. On Sophie's behalf, I'll note that she was the only Buckeye to score two goals. One of those goals was a double give-and-go with Liz Schepers that was an absolutely beautiful thing to behold.
Jaques led all players with a +5. Bizal led everyone else at +4. All while keeping the Lions mostly at bay. Yeah, as I type this it occurs to me that maybe Madison & Sophie should be higher on the list. But I'm sticking with my story line!
#3 Star; 3rd Line Center: Sara Saekkinen, Ohio State
Didn't see any cars being jump-started in the Ice Rink Parking Lot. The truth is that the temperature was cool; not all that cold. But Sara jump-started the Buckeye offense, feeding Bizal on the above mentioned opening goal.
Although that was her only scoring point, Saekkinen was fore-checking hard & instigating offense all night long. Like the other centers, Sara had a fine night in the face-off circle, with a Win Rate of 57%.
#2 Star; 2nd Line Center: Clair DeGeorge, Ohio State
The Buckeyes owned the time of possession stat. That often starts by winning more than your share of the draws. Claire's Win Rate was 61%.
Like Sara, Clair had just one scoring point. It was the primary assist on the game's final tally. A dynamic cross-slot pass gave Liz Schepers an easy tap-in.
Beyond stats, DeGeorge has become more & more of a dominating presence on the ice, with each new game. Just as we hoped. Just as we knew would happen.
#1 Star; 1st Line Center: Gabby Rosenthal, Ohio State
OK, you probably see where this is going. In the face-off circle, Gabby was the greatest of them all. Prevailing on 20 of 29 opportunities, Rosenthal had a sizzling Win Rate of 69%.
The one assist sub-theme also continues. Gabby's came on the second goal of the game. She started a fine passing play by corralling possession along the boards, and finding Jenna Buglioni down below the end line. Jenna centered the puck to Jenn Gardiner, who calmly finished. Thus each member of the top line garnered a scoring point.
It was an important goal. Although the Buckeyes were out-shooting the Lions substantially at that point, a 1-0 lead is hardly secure. Going up 2-0 before the 1st intermission was well worth doing.
Up Next: Buckeyes/Lions Rematch. Standard Start Time @ 3:01PM Saturday.
Ohio State 8
Lindenwood 2
Temperatures Cool Off; Buckeye Offense Stays Hot
The weather turned a little colder in Central Ohio this week, with air temperatures touching the single digits. A bit chilly. But nothing out of the ordinary for January. Good Hockey weather. Or, as a key OSU staff member put it, "the way things should be."
The Buckeye players apparently agreed, scoring early & often. Once again, the scoring was very balanced; 7 different Buckeyes scored the 8 Buckeye goals. As noted last Fall, Buckeye Depth will be an underlying theme all season long. It can make star gazing challenging. Still, on this night, I realized that the team is Tough Up The Middle. Don't worry, I won't be forgetting the underlying depth. But this is an occasion to honor the Buckeye Centers.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Lindenwood Honorable Mention: (tie) Morgan Neitzke and Casey Adimey
There were a couple of "breakthrough infections." Too soon? If so, sorry. But the Lions never lost their determination, and did indeed breakthrough for 2 goals, scored by Morgan & Casey. We also need to mention that Sierra Burt had the primary assist on both tallies.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie) Sophie Jaques and Madison Bizal
We can't ignore the offensive contributions of the Ohio State 'D' Corps. Madison opened the scoring with a shot from up high just 2:05 into the game. On Sophie's behalf, I'll note that she was the only Buckeye to score two goals. One of those goals was a double give-and-go with Liz Schepers that was an absolutely beautiful thing to behold.
Jaques led all players with a +5. Bizal led everyone else at +4. All while keeping the Lions mostly at bay. Yeah, as I type this it occurs to me that maybe Madison & Sophie should be higher on the list. But I'm sticking with my story line!
#3 Star; 3rd Line Center: Sara Saekkinen, Ohio State
Didn't see any cars being jump-started in the Ice Rink Parking Lot. The truth is that the temperature was cool; not all that cold. But Sara jump-started the Buckeye offense, feeding Bizal on the above mentioned opening goal.
Although that was her only scoring point, Saekkinen was fore-checking hard & instigating offense all night long. Like the other centers, Sara had a fine night in the face-off circle, with a Win Rate of 57%.
#2 Star; 2nd Line Center: Clair DeGeorge, Ohio State
The Buckeyes owned the time of possession stat. That often starts by winning more than your share of the draws. Claire's Win Rate was 61%.
Like Sara, Clair had just one scoring point. It was the primary assist on the game's final tally. A dynamic cross-slot pass gave Liz Schepers an easy tap-in.
Beyond stats, DeGeorge has become more & more of a dominating presence on the ice, with each new game. Just as we hoped. Just as we knew would happen.
#1 Star; 1st Line Center: Gabby Rosenthal, Ohio State
OK, you probably see where this is going. In the face-off circle, Gabby was the greatest of them all. Prevailing on 20 of 29 opportunities, Rosenthal had a sizzling Win Rate of 69%.
The one assist sub-theme also continues. Gabby's came on the second goal of the game. She started a fine passing play by corralling possession along the boards, and finding Jenna Buglioni down below the end line. Jenna centered the puck to Jenn Gardiner, who calmly finished. Thus each member of the top line garnered a scoring point.
It was an important goal. Although the Buckeyes were out-shooting the Lions substantially at that point, a 1-0 lead is hardly secure. Going up 2-0 before the 1st intermission was well worth doing.
Up Next: Buckeyes/Lions Rematch. Standard Start Time @ 3:01PM Saturday.
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The Buckeyes completed the sweep earlier today by a final score of 10-0. Ohio State opened the scoring with goals from Gabby Rosenthal, Paetyn Levis, Brooke Bink, and Liz Schepers to take a 4-0 lead into the first intermission. In the second period, the Buckeyes got goals from Brooke Bink, Ramsey Parent, and Sophie Jaques to take a 7-0 lead into the second intermission. Ohio State would add three more goals in the third from Lauren Bernard, Paetyn Levis, and Brooke Bink (hat trick!) to make the final score 10-0. Ohio State outshot the Lions 59-12. Buckeye netminder Amanda Thiele stopped all 12 shots she faced to get the shutout. Lion netminders Natalie Ferenc and Emily Finach combined to stop 49 of the 59 shots they faced. The Buckeyes are on the road next weekend at St. Cloud. The Lions will travel to Erie, PA to take on Mercyhurst.
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Final Score From Saturday, January 8th
Ohio State 10
Lindenwood 0
18 Goals in 2 Games. Very Simple Math gives us a Goals Per Game Average of 9. A Fruitful Yield to say the least.
Friday, it took Ohio State 2:05 to score. Saturday, the Swarming Buckeye Offense needed only 17 seconds to light the red lamp. You can't get much more Efficient than that.
Yes, the opponent was over-matched. And of course the Lions will have better days in the future. But the Bumper Crop of goals had to make the OSU players feel like the long hours of training and practice really have paid off.
Lindenwood Honorable Mention: (tie) Morgan Neitzke; Rachel Goff and Jada Burke
Mostly unnoticed given the lopsided score, the Lions' top set of forwards played pretty well. In fact, they appeared to score a goal. Breakout Pass from Jada; Stretch Pass from Rachel; Top Shelf Shot by Morgan. Sadly for Lindenwood, the goal was disallowed. Have to admit, even as a Buckeye partisan, I felt a little sorry for the Lions when their goal was taken away.
On a more positive note, each member of that top line was only -1 on the day. Had their goal been allowed to stand, they would have finished even for the game. In a 10-0 loss, that's remarkable.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie) Amanda Thiele and The Buckeye Coaching Staff
One way to increase productivity is to Maximize Output while Minimizing Effort. Earning a shutout with just 12 saves fits that definition pretty well.
But Amanda did get an assist on the would-be Lindenwood goal. Someone in Buckeye camp noticed that Neitzke was straddling the blue line when receiving the Goff pass. Likely offside. My best guess is that one of the sharp-eyed coaches picked up on this. Review requested; call on the ice reversed. The visiting Lindenwood fans booed lustily. But based on the quick reversal, I've got to believe that the call was pretty clear cut. In any event, the shutout was preserved.
#3 Star: Lauren Bernard, Ohio State
The Buckeye 'D' continues to dominate. We're overdue for giving kudos to #19, so here we go. Capable and Resourceful, Bernard doesn't give opposing forwards much room to operate. That was certainly the case against Lindenwood.
In addition to Lauren's defensive prowess, she put up a goal & two assists on Saturday. An Effective blue-liner for sure.
#2 Star: Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
Another Virtuoso Performance by Sophie. For the weekend, Jaques had 3 Goals & 4 Assists; for a total of 7 Points. Saturday Totals: 1 Goal & 3 Assists. Steady, Productive Work all weekend long. Featuring a Hat Trick of Assists on Saturday.
Always Alert & Inventive, Jaques delivered 2 Sophie Stretch Passes that resulted in consecutive 2nd Period goals. The first went to Brooke Bink; the second to Ramsey Parent. The other assist? She had the Primary Assist on Gabby Rosenthal's tally 17 seconds into the game.
I was getting ready to give Sophie another #1 Star, when suddenly...
#1 Star: Brooke Bink, Ohio State
... lightning struck for a third time. It took 59:55, but we had a Hat Trick of Goals on Saturday. Brooke's third allowed her to sneak past Sophie and claim the top spot.
Certainly the Buckeye Defense contributed mightily to the feat. Over the course of the three goals, Bernard; Hadley Hartmetz; Jaques & Eve Savander all provided support with assists.
The bottom line is that the Prolific Buckeye Offense swarmed for the full 60 minutes. On the ultimate goal, perimeter shots by Sara Saekkinen and Eve Savander created a wild scramble in the Lindenwood slot. You better believe Bink wanted that Hat Trick. With sheer will and determination, Brooke won the scramble and swept the puck into the net.
Up Next: Road Trip To St. Cloud State. Keep It Going, Buckeyes!
Ohio State 10
Lindenwood 0
Buckeye Productivity
18 Goals in 2 Games. Very Simple Math gives us a Goals Per Game Average of 9. A Fruitful Yield to say the least.
Friday, it took Ohio State 2:05 to score. Saturday, the Swarming Buckeye Offense needed only 17 seconds to light the red lamp. You can't get much more Efficient than that.
Yes, the opponent was over-matched. And of course the Lions will have better days in the future. But the Bumper Crop of goals had to make the OSU players feel like the long hours of training and practice really have paid off.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Lindenwood Honorable Mention: (tie) Morgan Neitzke; Rachel Goff and Jada Burke
Mostly unnoticed given the lopsided score, the Lions' top set of forwards played pretty well. In fact, they appeared to score a goal. Breakout Pass from Jada; Stretch Pass from Rachel; Top Shelf Shot by Morgan. Sadly for Lindenwood, the goal was disallowed. Have to admit, even as a Buckeye partisan, I felt a little sorry for the Lions when their goal was taken away.
On a more positive note, each member of that top line was only -1 on the day. Had their goal been allowed to stand, they would have finished even for the game. In a 10-0 loss, that's remarkable.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie) Amanda Thiele and The Buckeye Coaching Staff
One way to increase productivity is to Maximize Output while Minimizing Effort. Earning a shutout with just 12 saves fits that definition pretty well.
But Amanda did get an assist on the would-be Lindenwood goal. Someone in Buckeye camp noticed that Neitzke was straddling the blue line when receiving the Goff pass. Likely offside. My best guess is that one of the sharp-eyed coaches picked up on this. Review requested; call on the ice reversed. The visiting Lindenwood fans booed lustily. But based on the quick reversal, I've got to believe that the call was pretty clear cut. In any event, the shutout was preserved.
#3 Star: Lauren Bernard, Ohio State
The Buckeye 'D' continues to dominate. We're overdue for giving kudos to #19, so here we go. Capable and Resourceful, Bernard doesn't give opposing forwards much room to operate. That was certainly the case against Lindenwood.
In addition to Lauren's defensive prowess, she put up a goal & two assists on Saturday. An Effective blue-liner for sure.
#2 Star: Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
Another Virtuoso Performance by Sophie. For the weekend, Jaques had 3 Goals & 4 Assists; for a total of 7 Points. Saturday Totals: 1 Goal & 3 Assists. Steady, Productive Work all weekend long. Featuring a Hat Trick of Assists on Saturday.
Always Alert & Inventive, Jaques delivered 2 Sophie Stretch Passes that resulted in consecutive 2nd Period goals. The first went to Brooke Bink; the second to Ramsey Parent. The other assist? She had the Primary Assist on Gabby Rosenthal's tally 17 seconds into the game.
I was getting ready to give Sophie another #1 Star, when suddenly...
#1 Star: Brooke Bink, Ohio State
... lightning struck for a third time. It took 59:55, but we had a Hat Trick of Goals on Saturday. Brooke's third allowed her to sneak past Sophie and claim the top spot.
Certainly the Buckeye Defense contributed mightily to the feat. Over the course of the three goals, Bernard; Hadley Hartmetz; Jaques & Eve Savander all provided support with assists.
The bottom line is that the Prolific Buckeye Offense swarmed for the full 60 minutes. On the ultimate goal, perimeter shots by Sara Saekkinen and Eve Savander created a wild scramble in the Lindenwood slot. You better believe Bink wanted that Hat Trick. With sheer will and determination, Brooke won the scramble and swept the puck into the net.
Up Next: Road Trip To St. Cloud State. Keep It Going, Buckeyes!
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The Buckeyes were upset earlier tonight 1-0 by the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Give UMD a ton of credit in this one as they did two things that no other team has done against OSU this season; they shut out one of the leading scoring teams in the country, and they also handed Ohio State their first home loss this season. The game was really a great knock-down, drag-out battle for 59+ minutes, but someone forgot to tell the Bulldogs about the plan to go into OT and give the fans some bonus hockey. Kidding aside, congrats to the hero of the game, Kylie Hanley, as she scored the game-winner with 32 seconds to go in the game to give Minnesota-Duluth the 1-0 win. This was a very evenly-played game, although UMD led in shots on goal for most of the game. The final SOG numbers showed the Bulldogs outshooting the Buckeyes 28-27 due to a big third period push by the Buckeyes. Bulldog backstop JoJo Chobak stopped all 27 shots she faced to get the win. Amanda Thiele stopped 27 of the 28 shots she faced. Saw some of the players after the game and you could see the smoke billowing out of their ears. Hats off to the Bulldogs for pulling off the upset tonight. Think we'll see a different Buckeye team tomorrow.
Final Score From Friday, January 21st
Minnesota-Duluth 1
Ohio State 0
Fans at the OSU Ice Rink were treated to playoff hockey in January. Sadly for the Buckeye faithful, the Bulldog fans got the larger reward. But a treat it was. To the extent you can call 60 minutes of nail-biting, stomach-churning action a treat!
Minnesota-Duluth Honorable Mention: (tie) Gabbie Hughes; Elizabeth Giguere and Anna Klein
The Bulldogs' excellent first line was held scoreless. But they created many dangerous chances throughout the game. Certainly they're best opposing line to come to the Ice Rink so far in 2021-22. The Buckeye 'D' Corps can actually join this Honorable Mention. It was a privilege to watch these elite athletes test each other.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Kenzie Hauswirth
From further down the depth chart, OSU got a very nice performance from Kenzie. Trusted with important minutes and key face-offs, Hauswirth delivered. Her Win Rate in the circle was 54.5%.
#3 Star: Jojo Chobak, Minnesota-Duluth
Calm and composed, Jojo turned away every Buckeye shot. There's not much wasted motion when Chobak makes glove saves look easy. One puck did get past her in the lower left-hand corner, but that was after the final horn. The near-miss gives the Buckeye Offense some basis for optimism on Saturday. But on Friday Jojo was perfect, and richly deserved her shutout.
#2 Star: Amanda Thiele, Ohio State
Amanda was perfect for 59 minutes, but the Bulldogs broke through in the waning moments. Still, Thiele was magnificent along the way. Stuffing Giguere on a breakaway speaks for itself. During a UMD push in the second period, Amanda slide across the crease to make an other-worldly save, stacking her pads with her right leg flush to the ice.
#1 Star: Kylie Hanley, Minnesota-Duluth
Kylie was the only Bulldog able to beat Amanda. Hanley secures top honors with her GWG.
How The Play Unfolded: Mannon McMahon gained possession next to the UMD goal cage. McMahon sent the puck around the end boards to Hanley on the left side. A boost from Kylie cleared the zone, and the puck continued its journey up the left wing boards.
Clara Van Weiren had an opportunity to play the puck, but elected to let it through to the fresh, hard charging Taylor Anderson. Can't say for sure, but my guess is that Taylor just hit the ice as part of a line change.
Anyhow, Anderson gained the OSU Zone, and maintained possession. Meanwhile, with some Heads-Up Hanley Hustle, Kylie arrived at her assigned position on the right point. Nice feed from Taylor; fine blast from Kylie. Goal Bulldogs.
Interesting Twist Of Fate: A couple of seasons ago, a somewhat similar situation arose when UMD came to town. Late in that game, Hanley had a potential GWG on her stick, in prime scoring position. That time, she couldn't get a strong shot off. This time? The Senior Captain delivered power, accuracy & the game's only goal.
Up Next: Buckeyes/Bulldogs Rematch. 3:00 PM Face-Off At The Ice Rink. Don't Miss It!
Minnesota-Duluth 1
Ohio State 0
Top 10 Teams Treat Fans To Epic Battle
Fans at the OSU Ice Rink were treated to playoff hockey in January. Sadly for the Buckeye faithful, the Bulldog fans got the larger reward. But a treat it was. To the extent you can call 60 minutes of nail-biting, stomach-churning action a treat!
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Minnesota-Duluth Honorable Mention: (tie) Gabbie Hughes; Elizabeth Giguere and Anna Klein
The Bulldogs' excellent first line was held scoreless. But they created many dangerous chances throughout the game. Certainly they're best opposing line to come to the Ice Rink so far in 2021-22. The Buckeye 'D' Corps can actually join this Honorable Mention. It was a privilege to watch these elite athletes test each other.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Kenzie Hauswirth
From further down the depth chart, OSU got a very nice performance from Kenzie. Trusted with important minutes and key face-offs, Hauswirth delivered. Her Win Rate in the circle was 54.5%.
#3 Star: Jojo Chobak, Minnesota-Duluth
Calm and composed, Jojo turned away every Buckeye shot. There's not much wasted motion when Chobak makes glove saves look easy. One puck did get past her in the lower left-hand corner, but that was after the final horn. The near-miss gives the Buckeye Offense some basis for optimism on Saturday. But on Friday Jojo was perfect, and richly deserved her shutout.
#2 Star: Amanda Thiele, Ohio State
Amanda was perfect for 59 minutes, but the Bulldogs broke through in the waning moments. Still, Thiele was magnificent along the way. Stuffing Giguere on a breakaway speaks for itself. During a UMD push in the second period, Amanda slide across the crease to make an other-worldly save, stacking her pads with her right leg flush to the ice.
#1 Star: Kylie Hanley, Minnesota-Duluth
Kylie was the only Bulldog able to beat Amanda. Hanley secures top honors with her GWG.
How The Play Unfolded: Mannon McMahon gained possession next to the UMD goal cage. McMahon sent the puck around the end boards to Hanley on the left side. A boost from Kylie cleared the zone, and the puck continued its journey up the left wing boards.
Clara Van Weiren had an opportunity to play the puck, but elected to let it through to the fresh, hard charging Taylor Anderson. Can't say for sure, but my guess is that Taylor just hit the ice as part of a line change.
Anyhow, Anderson gained the OSU Zone, and maintained possession. Meanwhile, with some Heads-Up Hanley Hustle, Kylie arrived at her assigned position on the right point. Nice feed from Taylor; fine blast from Kylie. Goal Bulldogs.
Interesting Twist Of Fate: A couple of seasons ago, a somewhat similar situation arose when UMD came to town. Late in that game, Hanley had a potential GWG on her stick, in prime scoring position. That time, she couldn't get a strong shot off. This time? The Senior Captain delivered power, accuracy & the game's only goal.
Up Next: Buckeyes/Bulldogs Rematch. 3:00 PM Face-Off At The Ice Rink. Don't Miss It!
Ohio State earned the split today with a 3-1 win that was not really as close as the score would indicate. The Buckeyes outshot UMD 41-19 and prevented the Bulldogs from generating many good scoring chances. Credit Bulldog goaltender Jojo Chobak for keeping UMD in this one as the score could have been worse. The Buckeyes opened the scoring with two goals in the first period and that would be all they would need in this one. The Ohio State goals were scored by Jenna Buglioni and Sophie Jaques and the teams went into the first intermission with the Buckeyes leading 2-0. Neither team scored in the second frame. Ohio State got a goal from Clair DeGeorge to take a 3-0 lead late in the third period. The Bulldogs got a late goal from McKenzie Hewett to make it 3-1. That was as close as the Bulldogs would get. Jojo Chobak stopped 38 of the 41 shots she faced. Buckeye netminder Amanda Thiele stopped 18 of the 19 shots she faced to get the win. It gets tougher for the Buckeyes next weekend as the 5th-ranked Minnesota Gophers come to town for a pair of games. Minnesota-Duluth will return home to host Minnesota State.
Final Score From Saturday, January 22nd
Ohio State 3
Minnesota-Duluth 1
For those needing to brush up on their Latin, Carpe Diem means "Seize The Day." Carpe Dies Saturni means "Seize The Saturday." Or, if you prefer, "Seize The Day Of Saturn."
The Buckeyes certainly seized the Saturday Game, dominating SOG, Time of Possession and Zone Time. Many puck battles were fought; many were won. That said, UMD was still a very tough out. Reasonable observers can differ, but I believe the final score does reflect how the contest played out.
Big picture, I believe that Saturni showed when the Buckeyes bring their 'A' game, they will prevail over these Bulldogs. But the margin between the teams isn't that great. If we're content to bring the A-/B+ game, we'll likely get beat. Should we face the Bulldogs in the post-season, the Buckeyes would be well advised to remember this.
Minnesota-Duluth Honorable Mention: Lizi Norton
Getting pucks to the net on the Bulldogs was no easy task. The stingy Bulldog Defense was rarely out of position, and perfectly willing to block shots. Lizi lead all players with a mind-bending 7 Shot Blocks. As a team, UMD had 32 blocks.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Madison Bizal
The Buckeye Defense was pretty stingy too. Because of the way game played out, fewer blocks were needed. But the 14 Blocked Shots were all helpful. Madison led all Buckeyes with 3 blocks.
#3 Star: Mackenzie Hewett, Minnesota-Duluth
It was a long haul, but the Buckeyes finally scored a 3rd Goal with 4:43 left. OK, can we relax and take a moment to feel good about ourselves? Nope. 14 seconds later, the Bulldogs broke the shutout.
The play began with a highly contested face-off in the Buckeye Zone. Naomi Rogge won the draw, getting just enough of puck to direct it to Gabby Krause. The embattled Gabby was able to get the heal of her stick on the puck, and it would up with Mackenzie. Hewett then ripped a shot into the upper right hand corner of the net.
#2 Star: Clair DeGeorge, Ohio State
All of those puck battles? Clair won lots of them. Especially along the boards.
DeGeorge also closed out the Buckeye scoring, with assists from Payton Levis and Liz Schepers. If 3rd Assists were a thing, it would have gone to Sophie Jaques...
#1 Star: Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
I've been comfortable with Sophie on the ice since Day 1. But this year Jaques has taken her game to a whole new level, and has emerged as a major star. Hence her frequent appearances on my list. On this day she provided stellar defense, and factored into all three Buckeye goals.
On the Degeorge Goal, Sophie's breakout pass launched the play. If the Official Stats are correct, she got to the bench for a change before the puck hit the twine. That statistical nuisance is the only thing that prevented Jaques from being a perfect +3 on the day.
On the day's first tally, Sophie sent a perfect pass across the goal mouth, giving Jenna Buglioni an easy backdoor tap-in.
Finally, the GWG was all Jaques. Grabbing possession in the neutral zone, she charged the Bulldog net and put a stiff shot on goal. The UMD keeper was equal to that one, but left a juicy rebound. Sophie responded with a back-hander to the upper corner of the short side.
Confidential To Bill: Scholarly Enough?
Confidential To Jean & Stuart: You Are Rightfully Proud.
Up Next: The Ohio State University Buckeyes Host The University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Ohio State 3
Minnesota-Duluth 1
Carpe Dies Saturni
For those needing to brush up on their Latin, Carpe Diem means "Seize The Day." Carpe Dies Saturni means "Seize The Saturday." Or, if you prefer, "Seize The Day Of Saturn."
The Buckeyes certainly seized the Saturday Game, dominating SOG, Time of Possession and Zone Time. Many puck battles were fought; many were won. That said, UMD was still a very tough out. Reasonable observers can differ, but I believe the final score does reflect how the contest played out.
Big picture, I believe that Saturni showed when the Buckeyes bring their 'A' game, they will prevail over these Bulldogs. But the margin between the teams isn't that great. If we're content to bring the A-/B+ game, we'll likely get beat. Should we face the Bulldogs in the post-season, the Buckeyes would be well advised to remember this.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Minnesota-Duluth Honorable Mention: Lizi Norton
Getting pucks to the net on the Bulldogs was no easy task. The stingy Bulldog Defense was rarely out of position, and perfectly willing to block shots. Lizi lead all players with a mind-bending 7 Shot Blocks. As a team, UMD had 32 blocks.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Madison Bizal
The Buckeye Defense was pretty stingy too. Because of the way game played out, fewer blocks were needed. But the 14 Blocked Shots were all helpful. Madison led all Buckeyes with 3 blocks.
#3 Star: Mackenzie Hewett, Minnesota-Duluth
It was a long haul, but the Buckeyes finally scored a 3rd Goal with 4:43 left. OK, can we relax and take a moment to feel good about ourselves? Nope. 14 seconds later, the Bulldogs broke the shutout.
The play began with a highly contested face-off in the Buckeye Zone. Naomi Rogge won the draw, getting just enough of puck to direct it to Gabby Krause. The embattled Gabby was able to get the heal of her stick on the puck, and it would up with Mackenzie. Hewett then ripped a shot into the upper right hand corner of the net.
#2 Star: Clair DeGeorge, Ohio State
All of those puck battles? Clair won lots of them. Especially along the boards.
DeGeorge also closed out the Buckeye scoring, with assists from Payton Levis and Liz Schepers. If 3rd Assists were a thing, it would have gone to Sophie Jaques...
#1 Star: Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
I've been comfortable with Sophie on the ice since Day 1. But this year Jaques has taken her game to a whole new level, and has emerged as a major star. Hence her frequent appearances on my list. On this day she provided stellar defense, and factored into all three Buckeye goals.
On the Degeorge Goal, Sophie's breakout pass launched the play. If the Official Stats are correct, she got to the bench for a change before the puck hit the twine. That statistical nuisance is the only thing that prevented Jaques from being a perfect +3 on the day.
On the day's first tally, Sophie sent a perfect pass across the goal mouth, giving Jenna Buglioni an easy backdoor tap-in.
Finally, the GWG was all Jaques. Grabbing possession in the neutral zone, she charged the Bulldog net and put a stiff shot on goal. The UMD keeper was equal to that one, but left a juicy rebound. Sophie responded with a back-hander to the upper corner of the short side.
Confidential To Bill: Scholarly Enough?
Confidential To Jean & Stuart: You Are Rightfully Proud.
Up Next: The Ohio State University Buckeyes Host The University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
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Spot on. As a silver lining, the loss may prove to be a blessing in disguise in the upcoming games. The Buckeyes appeared to be invincible in the first 10 home games this season. This is a healthy reminder that there are great teams out there that can give us a run for our money - home, neutral or away.
Well put!
And you proved to be correct!
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I wouldn't exactly put it that way. We were fortunate to win. I don't think we kicked your asses. It was a great game between two of the top teams in the country! Good luck tomorrow.
As our friend KTDC alluded to, Ohio State took game one earlier tonight / yesterday by a final score of 2-1 in overtime. Neither team scored in the first period. Minnesota's Taylor Heise scored the only goal of the second period and the Gophers went into the second intermission (notice I did not say final intermission there) with a 1-0 lead. In the third period, Ohio State got a power play goal from Madison Bizal and regulation ended with the teams tied at 1. The Buckeyes Liz Schepers lit the lamp with 1:31 left in the overtime period to give Ohio State a 2-1 win. The Gophers outshot the Buckeyes 37-32 with Gopher goaltender Lauren Bench stopping 30 of the 32 shots she faced. Buckeye backstop Amanda Thiele was equally brilliant, stopping 36 of the 37 shots she faced to get the win. The two teams are back at it tomorrow with gametime starting at 3:00 pm EST.
I was saying the same thing to Mrs 86 about the Friday night loss to UMD, that it should serve as a good wake-up call that they need to bring the energy and relentless hockey every time out, and what can happen if they don't.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
It is always tough to be objective about our own teams. When OSU and UMD play, as a neutral observer, I expect a split. The goalies cancel out for the most part, but given the amount of experience, the Buckeyes have an edge in a battle of backups. With Bell being gone this year, it is advantage OSU on the blue line. The Buckeyes are deep up front, but can't match the one-two punch of Giguere and Hughes, who are the most dynamic duo in the country. If UMD gets the kind of opportunities that OSU had against UM in regulation, the Bulldogs are scoring more than once. When UMD splits with either OSU or UM, that seems like the most expected outcome to me.
I don't think any team in the top half of the WCHA is assured of a win in a head-to-head meeting of these teams simply by playing well or not. The other team has something to say about the outcome, because there isn't a lot of separation.
Final Score From Friday, January 28th
Ohio State 2
Minnesota 1
(O.T.)
A. Gophers Control Offensive Slot; Buckeyes Hit Metal. Gophers Win.
B. Sharp Shooter Heise Scores The Only Goal In Gopher Victory.
C. Bizal Bangs In Both Goals In 2-1 Buckeye Win.
D. Friday Cliffhanger Resolved By Overtime Goal.
The correct answer is, of course, D. Find out why as you view the 3 Stars. But along the way, keep in mind that any of these four scenarios could easily have become reality in this extremely close game.
Honorable Mention: Both Defenses, Including Goalies.
The Gophers didn't control the offensive slot, so Choice A is false. Then again, the Buckeyes didn't control the offensive slot either. The were indeed opportunities for a second chance goals. Quality chances. So how many second chance goals were there? None. Tough, determined defenders repeatedly cleared the puck out of harm's way. If you like greasy goals, you hated this game. Everyone else was highly entertained.
It is true that the Buckeyes hit metal. On one attempt, the puck slammed into the joint between the crossbar and the right post. For want of a centimeter, the Buckeyes had a goal. But once again, the truism that the pipes are a goalie's best friend played out.
On another attempt, a shot off the Gopher crossbar was sufficiently ambiguous that video review was called for. The somewhat hollow clang suggested that, just maybe, the puck had hit an inner half moon and came out hot. A quick review ruled out that possibility. Quick call, but a huge one. Had a goal been awarded, it would have erased the Gophers' only goal of the game.
#3 Star: Taylor Heise, Minnesota
Taylor Heise is a sniper indeed; her goal was a beauty. Linemates Abigail Boreen and Catie Skaja sent Taylor on her way to the Buckeye net. The right-handed shooter approached from the off-wing, then nailed the upper corner of the short side. I heard one Gopher supporter claim the shot should have been worth two goals. Well, this isn't hoops, but point taken. Sweet shot.
Had the Gopher PK held up on the 4x3, Heise's tally might very well have stood up as the GWG. But the Buckeyes converted their 4x3, so Choice B is false.
#2 Star: Madison Bizal, Ohio State
On the slickly executed 4x3 PP, Madison tied the game with a blast from the high slot. The shot was set up by a smart diagonal feed from Jenn Gardiner. Jenn got the puck from Sophie Jaques, as the two re-exchanged positions in the 4 player offensive set-up. Hugely important goal; it was the turning point of the game.
A short time later, a bad turnover gave Bizal a clear lane to the net. But Gopher Goalie Lauren Bench stood tall, preserving the 1-1 tie for the moment. So Choice C is false.
#1 Star: (tie) Liz Schepers, Ohio State; Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State; and Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
As you already knew, Choice D is the correct answer. Sophie started the scoring play, because that's what Sophie does. Jenna had the puck in close. But instead of shooting, she smartly executed a cross goal mouth pass to Liz, who slammed in the GWG.
This was far from Schepers' first back-door goal. In fact, Liz has become almost magical in her perfectly timed arrivals at an open back-door position. She couldn't have picked a better time for one those magical arrivals.
Up Next: Buckeyes/Gophers Rematch. 3:00 PM Face-Off At The Ice Rink. Must See Hockey!
Ohio State 2
Minnesota 1
(O.T.)
Multiple Choice: Choose The Correct Headline
A. Gophers Control Offensive Slot; Buckeyes Hit Metal. Gophers Win.
B. Sharp Shooter Heise Scores The Only Goal In Gopher Victory.
C. Bizal Bangs In Both Goals In 2-1 Buckeye Win.
D. Friday Cliffhanger Resolved By Overtime Goal.
The correct answer is, of course, D. Find out why as you view the 3 Stars. But along the way, keep in mind that any of these four scenarios could easily have become reality in this extremely close game.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Honorable Mention: Both Defenses, Including Goalies.
The Gophers didn't control the offensive slot, so Choice A is false. Then again, the Buckeyes didn't control the offensive slot either. The were indeed opportunities for a second chance goals. Quality chances. So how many second chance goals were there? None. Tough, determined defenders repeatedly cleared the puck out of harm's way. If you like greasy goals, you hated this game. Everyone else was highly entertained.
It is true that the Buckeyes hit metal. On one attempt, the puck slammed into the joint between the crossbar and the right post. For want of a centimeter, the Buckeyes had a goal. But once again, the truism that the pipes are a goalie's best friend played out.
On another attempt, a shot off the Gopher crossbar was sufficiently ambiguous that video review was called for. The somewhat hollow clang suggested that, just maybe, the puck had hit an inner half moon and came out hot. A quick review ruled out that possibility. Quick call, but a huge one. Had a goal been awarded, it would have erased the Gophers' only goal of the game.
#3 Star: Taylor Heise, Minnesota
Taylor Heise is a sniper indeed; her goal was a beauty. Linemates Abigail Boreen and Catie Skaja sent Taylor on her way to the Buckeye net. The right-handed shooter approached from the off-wing, then nailed the upper corner of the short side. I heard one Gopher supporter claim the shot should have been worth two goals. Well, this isn't hoops, but point taken. Sweet shot.
Had the Gopher PK held up on the 4x3, Heise's tally might very well have stood up as the GWG. But the Buckeyes converted their 4x3, so Choice B is false.
#2 Star: Madison Bizal, Ohio State
On the slickly executed 4x3 PP, Madison tied the game with a blast from the high slot. The shot was set up by a smart diagonal feed from Jenn Gardiner. Jenn got the puck from Sophie Jaques, as the two re-exchanged positions in the 4 player offensive set-up. Hugely important goal; it was the turning point of the game.
A short time later, a bad turnover gave Bizal a clear lane to the net. But Gopher Goalie Lauren Bench stood tall, preserving the 1-1 tie for the moment. So Choice C is false.
#1 Star: (tie) Liz Schepers, Ohio State; Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State; and Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
As you already knew, Choice D is the correct answer. Sophie started the scoring play, because that's what Sophie does. Jenna had the puck in close. But instead of shooting, she smartly executed a cross goal mouth pass to Liz, who slammed in the GWG.
This was far from Schepers' first back-door goal. In fact, Liz has become almost magical in her perfectly timed arrivals at an open back-door position. She couldn't have picked a better time for one those magical arrivals.
Up Next: Buckeyes/Gophers Rematch. 3:00 PM Face-Off At The Ice Rink. Must See Hockey!
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I don't necessarily disagree with this, I just know the PairWise penalizes us when we lose to teams ranked below us (referring to last weekend's UMD series, not vs the Gophers this weekend). We missed out on the NCAA Tournament in the 2018-19 season due directly to losses to inferior teams that we had no business losing to. But when it comes to Minnesota and Wisconsin, I kind of expect to split with those teams. It would have been nice to win today, but Minnesota is a top five team just like us and they were not going to be swept just because it was at our place.
As I have alluded to, Minnesota came back with a vengeance earlier today and handed Ohio State a 5-3 loss to earn a split in Columbus this weekend. Ohio State got on the board first on a goal by Paetyn Levis to take a 1-0 lead at the first intermission. The second period was all Gophers as they came out and scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead into the second intermission. The Minnesota goals were scored by Maggie Nicholson, Taylor Heise (2), and Madeline Wethington. Wethington's goal turned out to be the game-winner. The Buckeyes didn't quit and got goals in the third period from Sophie Jaques and Liz Schepers to make things interesting at 4-3. Minnesota added an empty-net goal from Audrey Wethington to make the final score 5-3. Ohio State outshot the Gophers in this one 35-28. Buckeye netminder Amanda Thiele saved 23 of the 27 shots she faced. Minnesota goaltender Makayla Pahl stopped 32 of the 35 shots she faced to get the win. The Buckeyes will be on the road next weekend to take on Minnesota State. The Gophers will return home to face Bemidji State.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
I understand. My point is that at least right now, UMD is a top-five team as well. UM and UMD split both of series, too, so I had to accept that the 'Dogs have something to say about the outcome of their games.
Final Score From Saturday, January 29th
Minnesota 5
Ohio State 3
Watching this edition of the Golden Gophers was an odd experience. Or, maybe I'm just unduly influenced by the Gopher USCHO Posters. But it seems like this team is having a bit of an identity crisis. They try to re-invent themselves after every intermission. For a team that's right in thick of the race for all of the championship banners, it just doesn't make sense.
It's like they're living out Super Tramp's The Logical Song. As in: "Please Tell Me Who I Am." OK, I better watch what I say. You'll be calling me a Radical. A Liberal. Fanatical. Criminal. But here's a humble suggestion from such a Simple Man. Just play like the self-confident, attacking Golden Gophers who've been coming to town for the last 20+ years. It worked out awfully well for you in the 2nd Period on Saturday. Don't try to channel North Dakota or anyone else. It's not who you are. I'll leave it at that; you'll have to figure the rest for yourselves.
As for the Buckeyes, I'm very proud of our team's effort. Of course including both the start & the finish. We ran into a buzz saw in the middle stanza. A lesser team would have folded. Yet we almost came all the way back. But on this one occasion, the Gopher Hole was just a little too deep.
Honorable Mention: (tie) Paetyn Levis, Ohio State; Sophie Jaques, Ohio State; and Liz Schepers, Ohio State
I'm going with the goal scorers this time; even more so than usual. Paetyn got the Buckeyes off to a great start, setting the tone for a strong 1st Period. Sophie & Liz were at the core of an inspiring 3rd Period comeback; each was rewarded with a goal. As noted above, the comeback came up just short. But overall, the regular season series against Minnesota went well enough. And there's a pretty good chance that there will be another opportunity to test our mettle against the Gophers in the post-season.
#3 Star: Madeline Wethington, Minnesota
Over on the Minnesota thread, ARM discusses the triumphs and travails of three of the Gopher Defenders. It's a good read. I recommended you take a look after you're done here.
ARM notes that Madeline is a High Risk/High Reward Player. I've got to tell you, I see mostly rewards. Wethington is a major presence whenever she is on the ice, both offensively and defensively.
I did have a clue that Wethington might have a goal coming. At the end of warm-ups, Madeline conscripted younger sister Audrey Wethington to feed her puck after puck, as she repeatedly drilled one-timers into the net. As foreshadowed, the goal came. Catie Skaja tried a wrap-around shot, which was actually saved by Gabby Rosenthal. Gabby was in the crease, courageously sealing off a portion of the goal mouth. The rebound came out to Jenna Buglioni, who tried to play the puck to neutral ice. But Madeline was having none of that. She intercepted the clearing attempt and drilled the puck into the Buckeye net.
Epiloge: I decided not to create a 4th Star for the Empty Net Goal. But Audrey got that one, claiming a share of the loot for herself.
#2 Star: Maggie Nicholson, Minnesota
The turning point of the game came early in the 2nd Period, when Maggie nailed a shot from the right point. Congratulations to Nicholson on her first goal as a Gopher. Milestone for Maggie; significant contribution to this game. It launched a Gopher 4 goal explosion that took just 6:12 to complete.
One interesting twist on the assists: Crystalyn Hengler, normally on 'D,' sent the puck back to the left point. Audrey Wethington, normally a forward, received the pass just inside the blue line and confidently slid the puck across to Maggie. As we already know, Nicholson completed her first transaction. Give that woman her full commission, and a bonus as well!
#1 Star: Taylor Heise, Minnesota
Everything I said about Taylor after Friday's game applies here. She is a pure goal scorer. During the 2nd Period Gopher Power surge, Heise claimed both the go-ahead goal and the eventual GWG. With that, top honors became undeniable.
Up Next: 5 Game Road Trip To Mankato, St. Cloud and Bemidji. Go Bucks!
Minnesota 5
Ohio State 3
Ridder Rodents Earn Split; Regular Season Title Race Enters The Home Stretch
Watching this edition of the Golden Gophers was an odd experience. Or, maybe I'm just unduly influenced by the Gopher USCHO Posters. But it seems like this team is having a bit of an identity crisis. They try to re-invent themselves after every intermission. For a team that's right in thick of the race for all of the championship banners, it just doesn't make sense.
It's like they're living out Super Tramp's The Logical Song. As in: "Please Tell Me Who I Am." OK, I better watch what I say. You'll be calling me a Radical. A Liberal. Fanatical. Criminal. But here's a humble suggestion from such a Simple Man. Just play like the self-confident, attacking Golden Gophers who've been coming to town for the last 20+ years. It worked out awfully well for you in the 2nd Period on Saturday. Don't try to channel North Dakota or anyone else. It's not who you are. I'll leave it at that; you'll have to figure the rest for yourselves.
As for the Buckeyes, I'm very proud of our team's effort. Of course including both the start & the finish. We ran into a buzz saw in the middle stanza. A lesser team would have folded. Yet we almost came all the way back. But on this one occasion, the Gopher Hole was just a little too deep.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Honorable Mention: (tie) Paetyn Levis, Ohio State; Sophie Jaques, Ohio State; and Liz Schepers, Ohio State
I'm going with the goal scorers this time; even more so than usual. Paetyn got the Buckeyes off to a great start, setting the tone for a strong 1st Period. Sophie & Liz were at the core of an inspiring 3rd Period comeback; each was rewarded with a goal. As noted above, the comeback came up just short. But overall, the regular season series against Minnesota went well enough. And there's a pretty good chance that there will be another opportunity to test our mettle against the Gophers in the post-season.
#3 Star: Madeline Wethington, Minnesota
Over on the Minnesota thread, ARM discusses the triumphs and travails of three of the Gopher Defenders. It's a good read. I recommended you take a look after you're done here.
ARM notes that Madeline is a High Risk/High Reward Player. I've got to tell you, I see mostly rewards. Wethington is a major presence whenever she is on the ice, both offensively and defensively.
I did have a clue that Wethington might have a goal coming. At the end of warm-ups, Madeline conscripted younger sister Audrey Wethington to feed her puck after puck, as she repeatedly drilled one-timers into the net. As foreshadowed, the goal came. Catie Skaja tried a wrap-around shot, which was actually saved by Gabby Rosenthal. Gabby was in the crease, courageously sealing off a portion of the goal mouth. The rebound came out to Jenna Buglioni, who tried to play the puck to neutral ice. But Madeline was having none of that. She intercepted the clearing attempt and drilled the puck into the Buckeye net.
Epiloge: I decided not to create a 4th Star for the Empty Net Goal. But Audrey got that one, claiming a share of the loot for herself.
#2 Star: Maggie Nicholson, Minnesota
The turning point of the game came early in the 2nd Period, when Maggie nailed a shot from the right point. Congratulations to Nicholson on her first goal as a Gopher. Milestone for Maggie; significant contribution to this game. It launched a Gopher 4 goal explosion that took just 6:12 to complete.
One interesting twist on the assists: Crystalyn Hengler, normally on 'D,' sent the puck back to the left point. Audrey Wethington, normally a forward, received the pass just inside the blue line and confidently slid the puck across to Maggie. As we already know, Nicholson completed her first transaction. Give that woman her full commission, and a bonus as well!
#1 Star: Taylor Heise, Minnesota
Everything I said about Taylor after Friday's game applies here. She is a pure goal scorer. During the 2nd Period Gopher Power surge, Heise claimed both the go-ahead goal and the eventual GWG. With that, top honors became undeniable.
Up Next: 5 Game Road Trip To Mankato, St. Cloud and Bemidji. Go Bucks!
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I would be remiss if I did not mention that the highlights for me yesterday was having lunch with one of the Gopher fans and also finally getting to meet The Pgb in person! It was great putting a face with the person who writes these absolutely fabulous articles from the games! The downside for us Buckeye fans is with Minnesota's remaining schedule consisting of Bemidji State, St. Cloud, and St. Thomas, yesterday's loss cost the Buckeyes a shot at the WCHA Regular Season Title. Our series with Wisconsin in the last weekend of the season may decide who finishes second and third. Listened to Coach's interview after yesterday's game. She was not happy with the second period. Basically said something along the lines of "When you come out of a 15-minute timeout (referring to the first intermission), giving up two goals in the first four minutes of the period is unacceptable." I like that Coach gives our kids credit when it is due (first and third periods yesterday were great), but doesn't pull any punches when the play is not up to our standards, as it was in the second period. I love our Coach and where she has taken the program. We actually have standards and expectations now, unlike previous years where we were content being a .500 club and ending our season in Duluth or Grand Forks in the 4-seed vs 5-seed series of the WCHA Tournament. Earlier in this thread I had asked why a 2021 Frozen Four banner had not been raised. Someone had alluded to the possibility that banners were no longer being put up for "just getting there," and that appears to be the case. I love that just getting to a Frozen Four is no longer considered banner-worthy here.
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Greatly enjoyed meeting you & Mrs. 86 as well. We'll talk more soon.
As always, I greatly appreciate your support.
robertearle believes that if the either the Buckeyes or Badgers win out, that team would finish ahead of the Gophers. I can't independently confirm that. But over the years robertearle's math has been quite reliable. Of course running the table is a major challenge - for either team.
Yes. And I appreciate that you accurately remember the earlier history. For the large majority of that earlier history, we were a competitive, entertaining .500 club. Every now & then I run into someone who is under the impression those earlier teams were perennial cellar dwellars. That simply isn't true.
(Still) No inside information, on either a possible banner or the latest theory.
I can understand not wanting any distractions during this year's campaign. But eventually I hope that some way is found to commemorate last year's FF appearance. Being one of the last four teams standing is recognized as a major accomplishment across many college sports. Another way to look at it is that we prominently honor all Buckeye Olympians -- with banners -- even if their country didn't win Gold during their participation.
If the powers-that-be don't want to raise a banner in this case, they'll get no complaint from me. But I personally enjoy sports history and won't be forgetting last year's accomplishments. Particularly the NCAA win over BC. I'm just completely flexible as to how that history is displayed.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
robertearle is to Math as pgb is to game recaps. If this was a normal "points" year, OSU and UW could rule by winning out. The percentages from a missing game won't change that. I think it is only in the case of what would normally be a tie on points (had no games been missed and the favorite had won those games) that the points percentage method will produce a different outcome.
I don't ever remember a year where OSU was last; maybe one rung up from that in the Potter year. I also don't remember a stretch where BSU finished last repeatedly. Both SCSU and MSU have had stretches where they repeated in the spot that nobody wants to occupy.